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New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis enjoys playing for Team USA regardless of injury risks

Anthony Davis

U.S. forward/center Anthony Davis, of the New Orleans Pelicans, posts up against a coach during basketball practice at the Brooklyn Nets' training facility in East Rutherford, N.J.,Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
(Kathy Willens)

After Indiana Pacers star swingman Paul George suffered a gruesome leg fracture during a Team USA scrimmage last month in Las Vegas, some NBA owners like Dallas Mavericks’ Mark Cuban believe the risks are too great.

With George expected to miss most of this upcoming season to recover from his leg fracture, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to address the issue regarding NBA players participation this fall.

Regardless of the risks, however, New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis said during a conference call on Thursday that he values his opportunity to participate. And Pelicans coach Monty Williams, who is an assistant on Team USA, obviously endorses Davis’ participation.

''It’s such a cool thing for a basketball player,’’ Williams said. ''A number of our guys talk about they couldn’t get this kind of preparation back at home, even if they were in L.A., Chicago or Houston, where a lot of guys go play and work out. I think that’s one of the reasons why you are seeing him and other guys improving on the fly.

''I think all of the guys here would agree that this atmosphere allows you to get better by listening to different coaches and different people that teach the game. There’s been a few days where I hadn’t worked with Anthony at all and allowed him to work with other coaches just so he can learn something different and get a break for me.''

Going into Saturday’s opening game of the FIBA World Cup against Finland, Davis has emerged as the leader on Team USA.He was spectacular in the Team USA’s final tuneup game on Tuesday against Slovenia when he scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had four steals and four blocks. Behind Davis' effort, Team USA easily won, 101-71.

Yet, Team USA's stiffest competition in the World Cup is expected to come from Spain, which frontline includes NBA players Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol and Serge Ibaka.

Spain's imposing frontline is why Team USA's 12-man roster includes big men Andre Drummond, Mason Plumlee and DeMarcus Cousins in addition to Davis. Team USA's post player will get a test on Sunday when they play Turkey and face 7-foot center Omer Asik, whom the Pelicans acquired this summer in a trade with the Houston Rockets.

On a team that includes Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried and Golden State Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Davis was thrust into more of a leadership role after Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant abruptly left Team USA earlier this summer, citing mental and physical fatigue.

In July, Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge, newly acquired Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love and San Antonio Spurs swingman Kawhi Leonard, the MVP in this past June’s NBA Finals, all withdrew from consideration to be named to the team.

While they all expressed their concerns about potential injury, Davis expressed his joy for playing.

''I love playing for USA Basketball,’’ Davis said. ‘’I think some guys look at that they don’t get paid so they don’t have to play or whatever. Anytime I get a chance to represent my country, especially for a country that do so much for us. I think it’s a great opportunity to show your appreciation.

''’The whole thing with the Paul George’s injury affected everybody. That was a gruesome injury and it kind of affected all of us, even guys who weren’t playing. At that time, we definitely didn’t want to finish the game after seeing one of our brothers go down like that. But now, we know that he’s doing fine and we’ve got to move forward and try to win the gold for him.''

George suffered a compound fracture in his right leg when he crashed into the basket stanchion while trying to defend Houston Rockets guard James Harden.

It is Davis' third consecutive summer he has participated in USA Basketball. In 2012, before his rookie season with the Pelicans as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, Davis won a gold medal with Team USA in the London Olympics.

Last summer, he participated in Team USA’s mini camp in Las Vegas. This time around, he’s about 10 pounds bigger than he was last season. Yet, he appears to be quicker on drives to the basket and getting into defensive positioning to contest shots. Davis also has shown ability to make a high percentage of mid-range shots.

''I know the only way to be a good defender is talk,'' Davis said. ''I think we’re very athletic and we’re quick and scrappy. We try to keep it as simple as we can with the terminology and the defensive package.

''We’ve got some of the best defensive coaches here and I think we’ve done a great job defensively.I'm definitely hoping that it makes me take a leap coming into the (upcoming) season.''